Dispensing device



Aug. 24, 1937. J. SCHOR ET AL 2,090,643

DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Dec. 17, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR5 105m arc/102. JOHN E. .SKOVEESKI- MXZ M THE /E ATTORN EY 24, 1937- J. SCHOR ET AL v 2,090,643

DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Dec. 17,1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 THHE ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 24-, 1937 DISPENSING DEVICE Joseph Schor, San Francisco, and John R. Skoverski, Oakland, Calif.

Application December 1'7, 1935, Serial No. 54,814

10 Claims. (01. 221-60) Our invention relates to dispensing devices, and particularly to improvements in collapsible tube containers for plastic substances and means for dispensing the contents therefrom.

5 It is among the objects of our invention to provide a container and dispensing means by which plastic substances may be readily dispensed in desired amount with a, minimum of waste.

Another object is to provide a dispensing .de-

vice for tube contained materials which will prov'lde a convenient holder for supporting a tube in upright position; and in which a collapsible tube may be readily mounted and replaced.

Another object is to provide a container and dispensing means for plastic materials such as condiments, by which the material may be effectually preserved from deterioration or contamination by exposure to the air or other outside agencies.

Another object of our invention is to provide a collapsible tube container formed of material which is chemically inert, and adapted to insure against reaction with materials contained in the tube.

Another object is to provide a dispensing device ior tube-contained materials which is attractive in appearance, and which embodies improved features of construction obtaining economy, simplicity, and efilciency in manufacture and use.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the fore going, will be set forth in the following description of our invention. It is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to this disclosure of 50 of a collapsible container constructed in accordance with our invention.

Figures 5 and 6 are broken vertical sectional views illustrating modified forms of the tube structure.

55 Figure 7 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, of a collapsible tube and another form of dispensing holder embodying our invention.

Figure 8 is a broken vertical midsectional view taken upon the line 8-8 of Figure 7 in the direction indicated. 5

Figure 9 is a sectional plan View of the holder of Figures '7 and 8, the section being taken in the plane of the key.

Figure ,10 is a broken side elevation, partly in section, showing a modified means for detach- 0 ably securing the holder sections together.

In terms of broad inclusion, the dispensing device of our invention comprises a holder arranged to receive a collapsible tube containing a plastic material. The outlet end of the tube extends 15 outwardly from the holder, and is provided with a suitable closure. A rotatable key, or other suitable tube-collapsing means, is mounted upon the base of the holder in engagement with the inner end of the tube; and is arranged to be 20 operated to collapse the tube progressively from its inner end for expressing the contents of the tube through the outlet end thereof. The collapsed portion of the tube! is takenup by the key, and is retained within the holder until the 25 contents of the tube have become exhausted.

Our invention also contemplates a collapsible tube having a light, flexible, tubular body portion formed of a regenerated cellulose product, such as cellophane, which is chemically inert 30 to the substances to be packed in the tube so as to insure against any reaction of the tube with its contents. The tube is preferably provided with an outlet head of relatively rigid structure adapted to maintain its shape and to form a 35 mounting for the tube closure. The head may be formed integrally with the tube; or it may be made separately of the same or different material, and secured to the tube by a seam, or by molding, or by other means adapted to obtain a 40 sealing engagement of the tube with the head.

In terms of greater detail, and referring particularly to the illustrative embodiment disclosed in Figures land 2 of the drawings, the dispensing device'of. our invention comprises a holder, des- 5 ignated in general by the numeral I, formed of metal, synthetic resin such as bakelite, or other suitable material. The holder l comprises a hollow base portion open'at the bottom, and having a reduced neck portion 2 at the top. The neck portion 2 is arranged to receive a collapsible tube 3 containing a plastic material such as condiments, cosmetics, pastes, ointments, greases, or other similar material of a plastic nature. The tube extends outwardly through the neck portion 2 and is provided with an outlet duct l, having a suitable closure 5, at its outer end. V

Thein'ner end of the tube 3 is provided with a flattened end 6 sealed in any suitable manner;

:and is engaged by a key 'l having. a slot 8 arranged to receive the flattened end ofthe tube.

The key I extends across the hollow base of the holder I, and is journaled in'openings 9 and III .formed in opposite sides thereof. The key I is provided with a handle I I extending outwardly from the holder I by which the key may be flattened end of the tube is wound in a roll ontoturned to wind the tube onto the key for expressing the contents of the tube through its outlet :1. As the key I is rotated in its journals, the,

the key, thereby pressing the contents of the tube toward the outlet end of the tube.

The key '5 may be of any suitable form. For

example, the key may be conveniently formed from a strip of metal doubled upon itself to provide a bearing portion I2 at one end, and to form loops comprising the handle II at the opposite end. The strands extending from the bearing portion I2 to the handle 'II are spaced sufficiently to form the slot 8'for receiving the end of the tube. The key is insertable through the holder I from one side thereof; and is normally held in position upon the holder by its 3O engagement with the inner end of the tube 3.

. If desired, the keymay be stamped or otherwise I formed from'she'et metal or other suitable material. Instead of a slot 8 closed'at both ends, as illustrated in the drawings, the key may be of bifurcated form to provide a slot open at one end so that the key may be moved transversely onto the flattened end of the" tube.

The tube 3 is preferably formed of a regenerated cellulose product, such as cellophane, which is chemically inert and of a character a which will insure that no reaction will occur between the tube-forming material and the substance contained therein. The use of such material is particularly desirable in the case of.

tubes intended for containing condiments such as mustard, mayonnaise, and other paste-like the head portion relatively heavy, as illustrated body.

in Figure 4; or the head may be formed separately of the same material as the tube, or of different material as desired. For example, the head I3 may be molded from synthetic resin such' as bakelite. The head maybe secured to the end of the tube 3 by molding it onto the edge of the tube as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings. Openings I4 may be formed in the edge of the tube 3 through which the molded material may flow to form bonds extendingthrough the tube material'to prevent separation of the head from the tube. Indentations, or corrugations may be substituted for the openings I4 as a means for preventing separation of the headfrom the tube Figure 6 illustrates a structure in which the head I3 is formed of metal, or other bendable material.

double seam I5.

The closure 5, preferably comprises a cap threaded onto the outlet duct 4. Other means .for closing the duct 4 may, of course, be substituted forthe threaded cap if desired.

The tube 3 is preferably inserted into the holder I through the open bottom thereof, and

is advanced to a point such that the key I may be inserted. The flattened end 6 of the tube is then inserted into the slot 8 of the key and the key turned sufficiently to grip. the end of the 'tube, and support the tubeupon the holder.

When it is desired to dispense substance from the tube 3, the closure 5 is removed, and the key I is turned sufficiently to press the substance toward the outlet and thereby express the desired amount of substance. As the key I is turned, the lower end of the tube is wound onto the key and the tube is progressively collapsed.

ing the tube onto the key 1 increases with each turn of the key, there is a tendency for'the tube In this case, the edge of the head I3 may be joined to the tube3 by means of a I to be tilted out of axial alignmentwith the holder 7 when several turnsof the tube have been wrapped onto the key.

To correct this tendency we prefer to place the journal openings 9 and I0 slightly to one side of the center of the holder I as best shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. Such offsetting of the journal openings does not affect the alignment of the tube during the first few turnsof the key, and avoids any objectionable tilting of the tube during the subsequent wrapping of the tube around the key. If desired, the journal openings 9 and I 0 may be elongated, as best shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, so that the key may be shifted bodily within the journal to,

maintain the tube in, axial alignment with the holder.

The holder I is of a size suitable to provide a stable base'upon which the tube may be supported in an upright position. The base presents a neat and attractive appearance; and is particularly, desirable for table use'for dispens- 7 ing condiments.

Another and perhaps preferable form of the holderis illustrated in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the drawings. In this form, the holder comprises a base portion I 6 and a neck portion I'I detachably engaging the upper end of the base portion. The portion I! may be held on the base I6 by any suitable securing means. For example, bayonet grooves I8 may be formed in one the lower edge of the neck portion Il may be pressed, the bead 2! being receivedfin agroove,v

22 in the portion IT for holding the parts together, as illustrated in Figure 10 of the'drawings.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 to 10,'the journals for the key 'I are formedby notches 23 formed in the lower edge of the neck portion IT matching with notches 24 in the upper edge of the base portion Hi. When the base and neck portions of the holder are assembled,

the inner ends of the notches 23 and 24 register to form journal openings for the key. The slots may be offset from the center, or they may be widened to form elongated journal openings as above explained in connection with Figures 2 and 3.

The separable relation of the base and neck portions of the holder permits the key I to be applied to the flat end of the tube before it is inserted into the base 16. The tube, with the key attached, is placed upon the base IS with the ends of the key resting in the notches 24. The neck portion IT is then moved into engagement with the base portion IS, with the ends of the key received in the notches 23. In this manner the key and tube are effectually held by the holder; and the contents of the tube may be expressed by turning the key as above explained.

This arrangement obviates the necessity of un- 25 wrapping an empty tube from the key before another tube may be inserted in the holder. Since the key is of simple and inexpensive structure, a new key may be supplied for each tube of material without objectionable expense. If

desired a key may be fitted and secured to each tube at the time it is packed. In that event, a tube may be inserted into the holder by merely separating the base and neck portions I6 and I! of the holder and applying them over the tube 3 from opposite ends thereof with the ends of the bearing portions of the key I received in the matching notches 23 and 24, as above explained.

The tube effectually protects the contents from deterioration by exposure to the atmosphere. For

example, condiments, such as mustard, salad dressings, and similar materials dry out and become discolored when exposed to air. The device of our invention provides a convenient and practicable means for packaging and dispensing such products; and avoids the substantial waste which commonly occurs when they are served in jars or other containers wherein the unused por tion of the product is not efi'ectually sealed from exposure to the air after the cover is removed.

lapsible tube extending therethrough, and a key journaled upon the holder for engaging the inner end of the tube.

2. A dispensing device comprising a holder having a base portion, a neck portion detachably engaging the base portion and having an opening through which a collapsible tube may extend, registering notches upon the adjacent edges of the base portion and neck portion, and a key journaled in the notches for engaging the inner end of the tube.

3. A dispensing device comprising a holder having a base portion, a neck portion detachably engaging the base portion and having an opening through which a collapsible tube may extend, registering notches upon the adjacent edges of the base portion and neck. portion, a key journaled in the notches for engaging the inner end of the tube, and means for holding the neck portion in engagement with the baseportion.

4. A dispensing device comprising a pair of interlocking holder portions forming a base arranged to receive and enclose the sealed end of a collapsible tube and having a reduced neck encircling the tube and through which the body of the tube may extend, journal forming means upon the portions, and a key removably journaled in the journal openings for engaging the inner end of the tube, and being retained in said journal forming means by engagement of the holder portions.

5. A dispensing device comprising a pair of holder portions forming a base arranged to receive and enclose the sealed end of a collapsible tube and having a reduced neck encircling the tube and through which the body of the tube may extend, journal forming means upon one of the portions, a key removably journaled in the journal openings for engaging the inner end of the tube, the key being retained in the journal openings by the other holder portion and means for securing the holder portions in assembled relation over the tube and key.

6. A dispensing device comprising ahollow base having openings in opposite sides thereof and provided with a reduced neck portion upon the top of the base for encircling the filled body portion of a collapsible tube container and movable onto the tube over the outlet end thereof, a key journaled in the openings in the base, the key being slotted to engage the end of the tube within the holder and being rotatable for winding the tube onto the key with the wound portion of the tube enclosed within the base.

7. A dispensing device comprising a hollow base having alined journal openings in opposite sides thereof offset transversely from the axis of the base, a reduced neck upon the top of the base for encircling the filled body portion of a collapsible tube container and movable onto the tube over the outlet end thereof, a slotted key journaled in the openings and engaging the lower end of the tube for winding the same onto the key with the wound portion of the tube enclosed within the base.

8. A dispensing device comprising a hollow base having elongated alined journal openings in opposite sides thereof ofiset transversely from the axis of the base, a reduced neck portion upon the top of the base for encircling the filled body portion of .a collapsible tube container and movable onto the tube over the outlet end thereof, a slotted key journaled in the openings and engaging the lower end of the tube for winding the same onto the key with the wound portion of the tube enclosed within the base, the key being movable within the elongated openings transversely to the body of the base for maintaining axial alinement of the tube and base as the tube is wound onto the key.

9. A dispensing device comprising a holder having a base portion, a neck portion detachably engaging the base portion and having an opening through which the body of a collapsible tube may extend, journal forming notches upon at least one of the portions and having the open ends of the notches closed by the other portion, and a key removably journaled in the notches for engaging the inner end of the tube.

10. A dispensing device comprising a holder having a base portion, 3 neck portion detachably gaging the inner end of the tube, and means upon engaging the base portion and having an opening one holder portion interlocking with means upon through which the body of a, collapsible tube may the other portion for securing the holder porextend, journal forming notches upon at least tions in assembled relation over the tube and key. one of the portions and having the open ends of the notches closed by the other portion, and a JOSEPH SCHOR.

key removably journaled inrthe notches for en- JOHN R. SKOVERSKI. 

